In a brazen act of violence, a known criminal attacked police personnel in the early hours of Wednesday in Pune's rural belt, leading to a case of attempted murder being registered against him under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Midnight Mayhem in Kamthadi Village
The incident unfolded in Kamthadi village under Bhor taluka after an elderly resident approached the Rajgad police station around 2:30 am on Wednesday. The complainant reported that his neighbour was abusing his family members and pelting stones at his house.
Responding to the distress call, two police constables immediately proceeded to the village in a car. However, upon sighting the officers, the accused, who is already on police records, began hurling abuses at them. The situation escalated rapidly as he pushed one constable, picked up stones, and smashed the windscreen of the police vehicle.
Violent Escalation and Attack on Senior Officer
The accused then armed himself with an iron rod and charged towards the constables. Fearing for their safety, villagers urged the two officers to call for backup and helped move them to a safer location.
Upon receiving the constables' call, a police officer rushed to the spot. The accused, undeterred by the senior officer's presence, continued his tirade of abuse and even attempted to throttle him. In a quick-thinking move, the officer removed the key from the ignition of the accused's Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to prevent his escape.
This action, however, provoked a more violent reaction. The accused bit the police officer in a struggle to snatch back the key. He then managed to start the SUV and tried to mow down the officer before speeding away from the scene.
Legal Action and Manhunt Launched
The Pune Rural police have registered a comprehensive case against the accused under the new criminal code. The charges include Section 109 (attempted murder), Section 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty), and Section 132 (assault to deter public servant from duty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, among other relevant sections.
Investigating officers revealed that the accused is a habitual offender with a criminal history. He already has five cases, including body and property offences, registered against him. The Rajgad police have formed special teams to track down and arrest the fugitive, who remains at large following the early morning attack.
This incident highlights the risks faced by police personnel in the line of duty, especially when dealing with repeat offenders in rural areas. The use of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections marks a significant legal step in the case.
